THE PCB BLOG

A family vacation to Panama City Beach can never be complete if you do not take your kids along. Though some of you may love to relive the privacy that you enjoyed when you were young, but after you have kids you just can’t leave them behind, as you always feel incomplete without them. Hence, while planning a vacation with kids, you need to consider a few things before you leave you home.

Here are 5 tips to remember to make your vacation most comfortable and a memorable one:

Plan beforehand: Kids are very curious by nature and want to know a lot of things about the new place, whether it is an airport, flight, beach, zoo, mall etc. To fulfill their curiosity and to avoid their disappointment, make sure you plan beforehand. You should reach the location before the scheduled time so that your kids have enough time to explore and satisfy their curiosity. Though it is a great experience for them, do not forget to get a child tracking device with warning alarm for your kids so that they do not go far from you, just to be on a safer side. Airports and tourist places are crowded, so you can avoid experiencing a night mare.

Pack important stuff: Keeping in mind the environment and weather of your vacation destination, pack appropriate clothes for your kids. Also pack clothing that is appropriate for the activities they enjoy on beach or in pool. You should have enough games and apps loaded on your device to keep your child engaged during the long waiting hours. The busier they are the lesser they trouble you.

Take the right toiletries and medicines: Pack anti-bacterial wipes for your child’s hands as well as his utensils, baby wipes to clean up the spills and sanitizer to keep harmful germs away. You never know what your babies touch while travelling around, so keeping them germ free is the best way to avoid any harmful infections they might catch up. Take some mild tablets for fever and vomiting, and anti-septic creams to use as first-aid if the need be. Travelling makes your baby feel sick and he might get an upset stomach or some kind of allergic reaction. Carry enough water and healthy snacks to keep him full and hydrated.

Let them be involved: Let your kids be equally involved in the trip. If you have older kids, let them keep a travel journal handy. They will feel more responsible. Let them collect postcards along the way as they will be better informed about the place they are travelling to. Kids can be given baby-camera to capture their memories on their own.

Look around for bargain: Many travel services offer great family discounts and special schemes for families. You can check around for any such special offers and grab the best deal to save money on your trip and travel stress free. Most of the services provide accommodations that provide cots, toys and babysitters all inclusive thus you not only save money on such deals but also travel light without really carrying any baby items along. Moreover, you are relaxed at your most awaited vacation. Think about another family to travel along with you to get greater discounts, split the expenses, and have more fun.

Vacations are a great way to get out and spend some quality time with your family. While planning a vacation, you have to factor in a lot of things if you are traveling with small children. Right from their clothes, feeder bottles, baby food, baby items to their medicines and diapers…the list is endless and exhaustive. Thus you have to do a sufficient amount of planning beforehand as you do not want to miss out anything while traveling with small kids. Traveling involves hiring a car for fun filled trip. A traditional holiday package with all things inclusive makes your trip quite comfortable and stress free, but it is becoming less appealing due to the high costs involved. Hence a lot of families choose private airport transportation like hiring a car for moving around.

Car hiring expenses cannot be ignored as it increases the overall holiday cost. Though the base rentals are competitive, the costs start to jump high when you start to add on the extras. Keeping all this in mind, parents wonder if it is best to bring our own car seats. Here are a few considerations before you come to a decision:

Cost: Besides the car base rental, renting car seats for your children could significantly add up to the base fare depending on the number of days you rent. Typically they charge around 50 EUR for one week and suppose if you have two kids, who need a car seat, then you will have to pay a significant amount besides rental. A lot of airlines allow you to carry along 2 items in the hold if you have children below 2 years of age. You can carry a car seat as one of the items. But there are other airlines that charge you around £25 for hold luggage, but you can always confirm these charges before making a decision. If you compare the two, cost of hiring a car seat would cost you a lot more though.

Compatibility: Most car seats are compatible with the latest makes and models. Though the manufacturer will give you the list of cars for which the seat is compatible, but today most car rentals have the latest cars, so there won’t be any compatibility issue as such. However, you should check in advance with the car rental company if its car seats are compatible with the child car seat you are carrying along.

Safety and quality: Although most car rental companies provide safe and high quality child car seats that meet the acceptable standards, but there are some countries that do not follow the set standards as all countries have different set of acceptable standards. If you are not sure about the quality of child car seat they provide, it is better to carry your own while considering the safety point of view.

Damage: A lot of people often get worried about their expensive child car seat getting damages while traveling. Though damaged suitcases are quite common while traveling on flight, but the car seats are not handled like suitcases. Expect a little bit of wear and tear while transit, but you can always wrap it safely before you load it in the flight.

Fashion and traveling go hand in hand. Of course! When you are travelling to a new destination, you want to carry the most fashionable clothes and look perfect. Though you would definitely choose comfortable clothes that suits the climate of the destination, but it would still be the trendiest. Worst of all, although you have packed in the crispiest and neatly ironed clothes into your baggage, you still get to wear the wrinkled and musty clothes after just a few days on your trip. Wearing pressed and fresh clothes while traveling gives a sense of decency and sophistication when traveling in a new country. Make sure you arrive fresh and leave fresh equally. You should have the ability to pull out the wrinkle free and scuff free designer dress and a branded pair of fresh stilettos from your carry-on luggage while making it look that you have just worn it right from your closet.

Here is how to keep your clothing fresh and pressed while traveling

Put your shoes in dust bags: A high quality pair will come with its own dust bag, if not you may invest in one. There is nothing more frustrating to see your crisp white shirt getting dusty even before you wore it. Even your brand new shoes must go into the dust bags, so there are no regrets later.

Hand-held steamer: It is always better to carry a hand-held steamer along while travelling. It is better to invest in one, than pay a good amount to the in-house laundry. Your silk shirt is definitely worth the steamer, looks like it just came from the closet hanger.

The stylist’s kit: Carry one along, as it saves from a wardrobe malfunction. The little trick of carrying the stylist’s kit along can really make a huge difference. Besides your makeup, stuff double-sided tape, a tiny sewing kit, mini lint roller, a few pins and all that little items in your makeup pouch that can save you from the embarrassment in a new country.

Roll your clothes: Folding your clothes is a big mistake as it shows the creases when you wear it. Roll your crisp cotton clothes, your jeans, your skirts and jersey wear as it will not only avoid wrinkles but will save a lot of space in your suitcase for other things to stuff in. Moreover, your suitcase looks neatly organized too! Be sure you don’t end up paying heavy baggage charges though.

Garbage bags for your silk and satin: It is nearly impossible to maintain a silk shirt or a satin top to be crisp and wrinkle-free after it comes out of your suitcase. Well the garbage bag comes to your rescue. Unbelievable! Is it? Fold your silks and satins and place it on top of the other clothes in your suitcase. Lay the garbage bag over them. And this technique does wonders with no or very few wrinkles! So this five minutes of arranging helps you save time and you reach your meeting on time! Never knew that the garbage bags would be so useful when your are traveling.

Traveling to your desired destination is the most amazing experience, but if you want to experience some thrill and enjoyment, then traveling alone is the best way to make it happen. You have a unique way to enjoy to the fullest. You don’t have to compromise for other person’s interest. You have your own time with you, you can focus on yourself, and contrarily you never feel alone as you have your own company to enjoy with. However, traveling alone has a lot of challenges too, right from budgeting to safety you have to do everything on your own.

Here are some suggestions and tips when traveling alone:

Safety: Obviously safety is the main concern while traveling alone. Till now you always had friends or family around that offered you a feeling of safety, today you are making your travel plans alone, no friend, no family so of course you will think about your safety. Keep your valuables safe, travel during the day time and engage yourself in group activities. Don’t travel in areas that are isolated or deserted. Be alert, pay attention to people around you, make sure no one if following you and show your confidence. Do not let people know that you are a tourist travelling alone. Carry your identification wherever you go. Take off your ear phones when at a new place as it might divert your attention.

Budget: Stay in your budget. While you are travelling alone, there is no one to share your expenses, be it a room share, traveling share or sharing in a restaurant. Also make sure that there are no extra charges for double occupancy as it might cost you more. Some tourist companies offer solo travel packages or offer roommate matching based on your preferences.

Meeting new people: Traveling alone gives you an opportunity to meet new people, be friends with locals, know about their country and their culture along the way. You can enjoy sharing your experiences with other travelers and localities, which may seem quite a pleasure. However, do not trust blindly on anyone you meet. Trust your gut instinct and do not share your personal information to an unknown person. Some may flirt around with you, ditch them at the soonest.

Eating out: Eating your heart out alone is a real experience. Savor the delicacies at the local restaurants there. Do some research about the country before you leave. That will give you an idea which restaurants are really good. Take your own time and sit at your favorite corner. You can enjoy the experience by eating at a patio or at a bar. You can read your favorite book and feel the beauty of enjoying alone.

Avoid wearing attention seeking clothes: Make sure you are dressed decently and do not seek a stranger’s attention by wearing awkward clothes. Also keep in mind about the pick pocketing activities that are quite high at tourist places. So keep your valuables like cash and cards in safe pockets. In fact dress a local so that you do not have eyes staring you.

Plan ahead: A perfect trip is when you have a detailed itinerary that is perfectly planned. Your traveling date and your travel destination should be known to you well in advance. Share this information with your true friends or your family. They should know about your where-about too.

Holidays are round the corner and you are already ready with your vacation plans, right? Perhaps even a sunny vacation to Panama City Beach? Vacations are always great as you get good time to spend with your family while leaving the stress behind. We all love to travel and we so wish we could travel often. With slowdown of the global economy people often think a lot before they plan a good vacation. However, a budget vacation that saves you money and gives you the thrill and joy you always craved for, is a dream come true for most travelers like you who are traveling on a tight budget.

Here are 10 thrifty travel tips to make the most on your vacation without digging a hole in your pocket.​

Plan your vacation during off-season: Planning your trip during off-season is a great way to save on your trip. Not only are the air fares cheap but you also enjoy huge discounts on your accommodation too. Moreover, you are to your favorite destination that is not over-crowded and you have enjoy every bit of your vacation be it sightseeing or relishing the yummy food in restaurants, you won’t see crowd anywhere. Also there is off-season at some place in the world throughout the year, so you can enjoy off-season discounts year long!

Set a fixed travel budget: Calculate your budget by adding your airfare, accommodation, transportation, shopping and food etc. Once you have a fixed budget, you can make the bookings that fit in your set limit and you cut down on unnecessary expenses.

Choose an affordable destination: There are many amazing holiday destination in the world that are quite affordable. Check for the exchange rate, it should be lower or equal to your country currency. Countries like Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam are popular destination for people who love historical architecture, exotic cuisine and breath-taking natural beauty.

Travel in a group: Group travelling reduces the traveling costs as you share the expenses amongst the group. You save on your car rentals and taxi rides too. Booking a cab for 4 is much affordable than booking a cab for 2. Or if you are traveling with a larger group, then a private van is much affordable. You can even save at restaurants by dividing the bill, moreover you enjoy more meals too!

Book your vacations through travel deals sites: You will get amazing offers and discounts if you book through popular travel deals sites. You can choose your desired destination that suits your budget too.

Book your stay at vacation rentals: Hotels and resorts increase your budget as these are costlier as compared to vacation rentals. Moreover travelling in a group can reduce the booking expenses further as you can book a condo, apartment or an entire house at a comparatively cheaper rate.

Eat at local joints: Food is quite expensive at fancy restaurant and popular hotels. It is always better to eat at local joints as the food served is very fresh and you can enjoy the local cuisine at dirt cheap rates. Eat where the locals eat and also eat what the locals eat.

Use a guidebook: Buy a latest guidebook of the country from the airport and check out the places on your own without hiring a tourist guide. You will experience the beauty and atmosphere and walking to local markets and parks give you a total traveler experience.

Pay in cash: Avoid using credit cards to tourist locations. Makes sure you carry the country’s local currency and paying in cash always keeps you within your set budget.

Avoid shopping: Well, you get tempted to shop at a new place, however avoid. You are on a holiday that does not mean you should go shopping around. If you so want, just buy a memento for memories.

Research and plan beforehand: Do some homework about the country you are planning to travel to, like places you get cheap things, best cheap eateries, etc. If you have enough information about your vacation spot, you will be able to make an informed decision and make the most from your holidays within your set budget.

Should you need to travel by plane with one or more of your pets, you will need to know a few things to make your trip successful, not only for you but for the comfort of your animal.

AIRLINE REGULATIONS

Depending on which airline you are flying, there will be specific regulations regarding pets. Contact the airline you are flying to make sure you follow the guidelines.

WHAT TO BRING

1. Bringing a crate for your pet is essential. Make sure that your animal has enough room to stand up. Also, it should be able to absorb any accidents. The crate should be labeled with “Live Animal,” including your full name, phone number, and a picture of your animal.2. You’ll want to include dry food in the crate for your pet to eat during the flight.3. Set a meeting with your veterinarian to have a pet checkup. You’ll want to make sure that all the vaccinations current.4. Have your pet obtain a microchip so that he or she is easy to identify. Also, make sure that your pet has a collar with the up-to-date information including name and your phone number.5. If possible, book a flight without any layovers. The last thing you want is for your animal to have to wait unattended to on the tarmac.

CABIN OR CARGO?

Another consideration you want to make is whether to put your pet in the cabin with you, or in the cargo hold. Under specific airline guidelines, pets who weigh less than twenty pounds can typically fly as a carryon in the cabin. If you decide to leave your pet in the cargo hold, make sure to familiarize yourself with the temperature both in-flight and while parked on the ramp. This way, you can gauge the best possible conditions, and make the best decision – whether on-boarding your animal, leaving him or her in the cargo hold, or leaving your animal at home with a pet-sitter.

KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING

It’s important to know where you are going so that you can measure how your pet will fit in with his or her surroundings. You can also look up rest areas on the way to wherever you are traveling. Wherever your destination is, you’ll want to look for parks and vets. This way, you can provide your pet with the recreation he or she needs along with medical assistant should it become necessary.

Going to and coming from the airport presents a challenge when you aren’t sure who can drop you off or pick you up. And for many people, paying upwards to $20 per day for the daily garage is too much of an expense, to leave their vehicles for an extended period. Thanks to UBER, we have an affordable solution. So, what are the things you need to know to make your goings and comings from the airport a success?

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

When you are planning to be driven to the airport, you’ll want to plan ahead. The three considerations you’ll need to make are:1. What time is my flight?2. How is the traffic – heavy or light?3. What is the best time for my driver to arrive?

Remember that you are asking another person to drive you to the airport. Just because they are with the UBER platform, doesn’t mean they are superhuman! The same rules of the road that apply to you apply to them.

When you are planning to be picked up from the airport, it is a good idea to collect your baggage from the baggage claim before you open your app and request someone to pick you up. Here’s a few tips:1. Since most airports have a designated terminal to be picked up by an UBER driver, check your app for the exact location.2. Keep your phone on as your driver will likely call you upon arrival. You’ll want to give your terminal location in case he or she needs that information.

WATCH FOR FAKES

As with any good invention, there are always a few drawbacks. And although getting a taxi-like service is not complicated, it can be cause for caution. You always want to verify that your driver is legitimate. Here are a few ways to do this:1. The license plate on the car should matches the one on your app.2. The make and model of the car should be the same as the one you booked.3. The driver should ask you your name when you enter the vehicle.

CHECK YOUR AIRPORT

Finally, check ahead of time to see if the airport you need to be dropped off at, or picked up from, are in the UBER network. For a full list of those airports, visit: https://www.uber.com/airports/#airport-list

If you have ever missed a flight, or just made it on board in the nick of time, you know how inconvenient and upsetting it can be. Although you can’t control delays due to weather or mechanical failures, you can control how much peace of mind you give yourself before your flight takes off.

MAKING GOOD TIME BEGINS AT HOME

Arriving at your gate on time begins before you even leave your home. You need to pack. You need to make sure you have all your documents in order. You need to make sure all your affairs are set up at home, whether that means hiring a pet sitter or making sure the lights are off. You especially want to make sure that when you walk out of your front door, you don’t have to make a U-turn at any point because you forgot something important.It’s a good idea to begin packing for any trip a couple days before your flight departs. This way, you can get a leg up on all the things you need to prepare, and create a cushion of time in case you need to make any last-minute adjustments. You will also need to consider whether you are parking your car in the daily garage, getting dropped off by family or friends, or hiring a taxi-driving service. Making sure you allow for the appropriate amount of time is vital, especially if your transportation is in someone else’s hands.

CHECK IN & SECURITY CHECK

Generally, it is good practice to arrive at the airport 2 hours before your scheduled flight. It rarely takes this long to get to your gate; however, you’ve already invested hundreds of dollars and a considerable amount of time to make your trip. Why take any chances? Arriving early will give you more time to relax, get something to eat, and just feel prepared, after you’ve gone through the check in and security process.

Once at the airport, the first step is to check your bags and get your boarding pass. Once this is done, you will need to find your gate number, and then follow signs to your security check-point. Depending on the time of day you arrive, and how busy the airport is, the line for the security check can be fairly long. But it is the TSA agents’ job to ensure that people move through the line as quick and efficiently as possible.

Once you’ve passed the security check, you are free to roam around, use the restroom, get something to eat, or just find a seat near your gate. Ultimately, arriving early helps give you that peace of mind you need right before you ascend to 45,000 feet.

The more you fly, the more you know that the possibility of a flight delay due to weather or a mechanical malfunction, is likely. If you experience a delay of any kind, you’ll want to have a few things in place for you and your kids so that you make the most of your time.

LOCATE FLIGHT INFORMATION

Airports are usually great at providing immediate support to those who have experienced a flight delay, whether before your first flight or a connecting flight. Attendants are usually by the gate where your plane will take off. They will be able to give you all pertinent information with regards to the status of your plane, and how long you will be waiting till the issue is resolved. You can also find your flight’s information on the flight status boards located throughout the airport. You will need your flight number which can be located on your ticket.

READING MATERIAL & ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Your kids may not be as concerned about the flight delay as you; however, they will expect to pass the time with something entertaining and engaging. So, make sure to have reading material, electronic devices for gaming,

FOOD

There are a few snacks that are approved for flight travel. You’ll be able to carry them as you pass through the security terminal. These include dried fruit, pretzels and chips, or other dried food. You may also purchase food and drinks once you’ve passed through the TSA. You’ll have the option of restaurants and coffee bars. Depending on the airline, and the delay you’re experiencing, you may be entitled to a food voucher. Some airlines will pay up to an entire meal per person.

TOYS

When preparing for any flight, it’s a good idea to bring some toys if you have small children. You don’t want to check all of them into the baggage department, as putting a few in your carry-on bags can be invaluable in the event of a delay. If you forget, there are some airports with play areas for children.

LANDING ARRANGEMENTS

If you’ve made any travel arrangements or booked any hotel stays that are time sensitive, you’ll want to contact the appropriate parties to make sure that you adjust the time you will need to be picked up or arrive.

Flying can be fun for the whole family. It can also present some challenges. And when it comes to making sure you are ready for the post-flight experience, it helps to be prepared. Here are 3 tips on how to make your post-landing experience exceptional.

COUNTER THE RESTLESSNESS

After your typical 3 to 4-hour flight, most adults are ready to stretch their legs and move around. For young kids however, it can seem like an eternity. And so, once you have arrived at your destination, you may want to consider finding an area where your kids can move around without being shoulder-to-shoulder with other people. If you want to be creative, try a 30-second dance-off. You can hold their hands or just let them form a circle, while they begin showing the world their moves. This will help them get some of that restlessness out of their system, and is sure to put a smile on your face.

LOCATE THE FOOD

No matter how many peanuts and crackers you munch on during your flight, there’s nothing quite like giving your body a healthy upgrade once you arrive at your destination. Before your flight, locate a few restaurants in the area that are perfect for your family. Especially if you are in an unfamiliar city, you will want to get a leg up on what’s affordable, close, and right for your family’s needs.The beauty of GPS is that you don’t need physical maps in most cases. However, it doesn’t hurt to print out a few restaurants before your flight so that you can plug them into your phone upon arrival.

BRING YOUR UMBRELLAS

Depending on where you’ll need to walk once your flight has landed, you’ll want to bring a few umbrellas just in case you find yourself in a rainstorm. Anyone who has flown with kids can attest to the fact that flying with little ones is not always a bundle of joy – sometimes attitudes and emotions are soaring. But you don’t have to let soggy clothes from rainy weather put a damper on the car ride to your destination.